Affordable wins new contract, adds bulk items, e-trash pickups

The City Council awarded a bid Monday to retain Affordable Waste Systems at a cost of $12.75 per residential dwelling unit per month for the first 2 years.

Residents now pay $13.40 per month.

The rates are expected to increase to $13 in the third year and to $13.25 in the fourth and fifth years of the contract.

Additional services to residents at no extra cost will include one bulk item pickup a week and a scheduled electronic curbside pickup.

The city received two other bids.

During an awards presentation conducted during the meeting, Dixon Police detective Jessica Garza was named “Officer of the Year.” Chief Danny Langloss highlighted her service to victims, specifically crimes against children, and her leadership in Shop with a Cop, which serves more than 100 underprivileged children each year. Garza joined the department in 2006.

Other officers honored were Chris Cox for Citizen Service, Les Shaw for Excellence in Investigatory Procedures, Tony Quadraro for Team Player, and Aaron Simonton for Distinguished Service.

Also Monday:

• Jeff Kuhn, streets and public improvement commissioner, reported 26 blocks were completed in the city’s resurfacing project. He encouraged residents who wish to put their block on the city’s list for resurfacing next year to call City Hall at 815-288-1485.

• The council executed a parking regulation agreement with Walmart. Police said they now can enforce parking violations at Walmart, which they could not do before the city entered into this sort of agreement. The city has a similar agreement with Shopko.

• The council placed on file an approval for a museum on city property at Veterans Memorial Park. Andrew Cox, Thomas Houck, Henry Dixon, Richard Herbon, Gregory Langan, Al Wikoff, Pat Gorman and Charles Thomas were appointed members of the Veterans Memorial Commission Museum Board.